The Lincoln Project

The rule of law isn’t supposed to be optional in America — but lately Washington seems to have forgotten that. This week, Rick Wilson sits down with JP Cooney, former Deputy to Special Prosecutor Jack Smith, to talk about the growing crisis of lawlessness and why restoring accountability starts with fixing Congress itself. After years inside the Department of Justice working on some of the most consequential federal investigations in modern history, Cooney is stepping into the arena, running for Congress in Virginia’s 7th District in 2026 to bring seriousness, backbone, and respect for the rule of law back to Washington. Rick and JP break down how Congress lost the plot, why consequences in government have become optional, and why the next generation of leaders needs to end the chaos, restore law and order, and rebuild trust in American institutions before the damage becomes permanent.•••••You can find J.P. Cooney on X @cooneycongress, and on Bluesky @cooneyforcongress.bsky.social. Check out his campaign website, at www.cooneyforcongress.com.Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. Go to www.superpower.com and use code ‘LINCOLN’ for 20% off your membership. #ad Go to www.quince.com/lincoln for free shipping + 365-day returns. #ad

The Elephant in the Room: the “fun part” of Trump’s Iran war is over. The bombs dropped and the headlines rolled — but now comes the reality of a conflict with no strategy, no exit plan, and no adults in the room. Rick Wilson breaks down how Trump, Pete Hegseth, and Marco Rubio stumbled into a rapidly escalating Iran war that could cost billions, risk American lives, and spiral into the next Middle East forever war. And as the conflict grows, so do the questions: Is this about national security — or a convenient distraction from the Epstein files and other scandals closing in at home?•••••Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at Mengotomars.com #ad

Rick sits down with Jason Zengerle to dissect Hated by All the Right People, a scalpel-sharp look at how Tucker Carlson morphed from bow-tied conservative pundit into the high priest of grievance politics. They trace the Iraq War as the inflection point that cracked the old GOP brain, Tucker’s Fox News era where outrage became currency, and his post-Fox glow-up as a free-range chaos entrepreneur feeding the MAGA algorithm. But this isn’t nostalgia — it’s about consequences. As a new war with Iran explodes into missile and drone retaliation this weekend, Rick and Jason connect the dots between right-wing media radicalization, foreign policy brinkmanship, and the profit model that rewards escalation over truth. Tucker didn’t just witness the unraveling of the conservative mind — he built a business on it. And as 2026 approaches, the rage machine he helped engineer isn’t just warping politics — it’s shaping global stakes.•••••You can find Jason Zengerle on X @zengerle, and as a staff writer for the New Yorker. His book, ‘Hated by All the Right People’ is available now, wherever fine books are sold.Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln.

This week Rick's Elephant in the Room is MAGA’s decline. Donald Trump’s latest State of the Union didn’t project strength — it exposed unraveling policies, economic instability, authoritarian overreach, and growing questions about cognitive fitness, all while his inner circle — Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, Stephen Miller and their enablers — tighten their grip on power. As the GOP fractures and the 2026 midterms loom, voters are watching a movement lose altitude in real time. The real question isn’t whether MAGA is declining — it’s whether Democrats will hold the architects of corruption and extremism accountable when power shifts, because without consequences in 2026, decline isn’t defeat… it’s just intermission.•••••Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. Go to www.expressvpn.com/lincolnproject to find out how you can get up to 4 extra months. #ad Visit www.sundaysfordogs.com/lincoln50 or use code ‘LINCOLN50’ for 50% off your first order. #ad

Former DOJ prosecutor Dan Goldman joins us to break down the growing firestorm around Pam Bondi, Donald Trump, and the Epstein files. As scrutiny over the Epstein investigation intensifies, Bondi’s defense of Trump raises serious questions about DOJ independence, selective prosecution, and political loyalty inside the Department of Justice.Goldman explains what the Epstein files could mean for Trump legally, whether accountability is being delayed or deflected, and how the DOJ is supposed to function when powerful figures are involved. If you’re looking for clear analysis on Trump and Epstein, Pam Bondi’s role, DOJ ethics, and the fight over equal justice under the law — this is it.•••••You can find Rep. Dan Goldman on X @RepDanGoldman & @danielsgoldman. You can also find him at www.goldman.house.gov. Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. Visit www.ethos.com/lincolnproject to find out how you can protect your family in minutes, with affordable life insurance. #ad

Prince Andrew’s reported arrest in the widening Epstein scandal has reignited explosive questions about the Epstein files, elite corruption, and whether the United States operates under a two-tier justice system. While global headlines focus on the Prince Andrew arrest, a deeper issue is surfacing: why did Pam Bondi’s DOJ never investigate core co-conspirator Les Wexner, tied to the Epstein network? In this episode, we break down the latest Prince Andrew news, the unresolved controversies surrounding the Epstein files, mounting DOJ corruption allegations, and growing scrutiny over selective prosecution and elite immunity. If powerful figures can face consequences abroad, why were key players in the Epstein case never fully investigated by the Department of Justice? This is a deep dive into political corruption, accountability, the integrity of the justice system, and the uncomfortable question at the heart of the Epstein scandal — does justice truly apply equally under the law in America?•••••Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. Go to www.growtherapy.com/lincolnproject to find out how you can get affordable care that fits your life. #adVisit www.quince.com/lincoln for free shipping + 365-day returns. #ad

For the first time ever, alumni of The Lincoln Project are running for Congress — and the 2026 midterms just shifted. In this special double-header, Rick sits down with Fred Wellman, running in St. Louis, Missouri (MO-02), and George Conway, running in New York, New York (NY-12), to break down what it means for the Lincoln Project to move from ads and strategy to actual ballots and House races. They dive into the stakes of the 2026 election, the fight to flip Congress, the threat of MAGA extremism, and why veterans, constitutional conservatives, and rule-of-law Republicans are stepping up in key swing districts. From the battle for the House majority to the broader fight to protect democracy, this episode unpacks the strategy, the map, and the momentum behind a political movement turning into candidates — and why this moment could redefine the future of Congress. #LincolnProject #2026Midterms #Congress #MAGA #Election2026•••••You can find George Conway @gtconway3d on X, on Bluesky @gtconway.bsky.social, and at his campaign website, www.georgeconwayforcongress.com.You can find Fred Wellman on X @FPWellman, on Bluesky @fpwellman.bsky.social, and at his campaign website, www.wellmanformo.com. You can also check out his podcast, 'On Democracy with FPWellman.’ Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. Visit www.bollandbranch.com/lincoln, and use code ‘LINCOLN’ for 15% off your first order + free shipping. #ad

Rick's Elephant in the Room this week is simple: Pam Bondi and the Epstein files. Under oath, in open court, Bondi melted down while dodging direct questions about Jeffrey Epstein, the sealed records, and what the Department of Justice knew — and when. The exchange has ignited new outrage over the Epstein case, the handling of court testimony, and whether political protection is shielding powerful figures from accountability. Rick breaks down Bondi’s courtroom performance, the legal gymnastics around the Epstein documents, and why this moment matters in the larger fight over DOJ integrity, transparency, and corruption at the highest levels. If you care about the Epstein files, justice for the survivors, sworn testimony, government accountability, and the credibility crisis inside America’s justice system — this is the episode you can’t miss.•••••Support Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s family in carrying on her legacy, by visiting www.gofundme.com/f/help-virginia-giuffres. Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. Go to www.quince.com/lincoln for free shipping + 365-day returns. #ad

This week, Rick Wilson is joined by Taylor Rehmet to break down one of the most important political upsets in Texas in years: a historic Texas State Senate special election win that flipped a deep-red seat by doing something radical in modern politics—talking to people like human beings. Rehmet walks through a community-first, common-sense campaign built on knocking doors, rejecting corporate cash, focusing on affordability, public education, property taxes, and showing up in real life instead of chasing culture-war nonsense online. Rick dissects why this ground-game-driven Democratic victory in Texas matters far beyond one district, how it exposes the weakness of MAGA politics when voters are treated with respect, and why this race is a blueprint for winning swing and red districts heading into the 2026 midterms. If you want to know how Democrats flip seats, rebuild trust, and start winning again—this is the playbook.•••••Taylor Rehmet is on X @TaylorRehmetTX,and you can find him at his website www.taylorfortx.com.Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. Go to www.sundaysfordogs.com/lincoln50 OR use code “LINCOLN50,” for 50% off your first order. #ad

The Elephant in the Room this week is power—how it protects itself, who it destroys, and why accountability never seems to reach the top. With the release of the Epstein files, what’s exposed isn’t just one predator but a global system where wealth, status, and proximity to power shielded abuse of women and children for years. The documents pull back the curtain on how elites across politics, finance, and international circles used silence, intimidation, and institutional protection to evade consequences—while victims were ignored, discredited, or erased. This episode isn’t about gossip or scandal; it’s about how power operates when no one is watching, why so many powerful men connected to Jeffrey Epstein are still untouched, and what it says about a world where justice has a price tag and impunity is the real currency.•••••Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln.

Rick Wilson is joined by Jacob Frey, Mayor of Minneapolis, for a raw, unfiltered conversation about the escalating ICE raids, federal overreach, and what many residents are calling an occupation of an American city. As immigration enforcement, civil liberties, and constitutional rights collide, Frey breaks down how ICE operations are impacting local communities, why local leaders are pushing back, and how an overwhelming citizen response, mass protests, and community organizing have turned Minneapolis into ground zero for the national fight over Trump-era immigration policy, authoritarian policing, and states’ rights vs federal power. As tensions have been boiling in Minneapolis, it all felt predictable to local leaders — from the broad Department of Homeland Security directives that sent massive federal immigration enforcement into the city, to the repeated warnings Mayor Frey kept sounding about rising dangers and community impact — but it was the fatal shootings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, each a galvanizing flashpoint, that ignited the streets and turned simmering opposition into a civic reckoning.•••••Mayor Jacob Frey is on X @Jacob_Frey & @MayorFrey, and you can find him at his website www.jacobfrey.org. You can also find information about Minneapolis at www.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/city-federal-response/. Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. Visit www.ethos.com/lincolnproject to receive a quote in ten minutes. #adGo to www.ground.news/tlp for 40% off the vantage plan. #ad

This week’s Elephant in the Room is simple: Trump is losing—and everyone can see it. Inflation is still squeezing voters where it hurts, and no amount of fear-mongering can spin grocery bills, rent, or gas prices. On immigration, the administration’s answer has been to let U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement run feral—escalating raids, brutality, and spectacle that dominated headlines this week and triggered backlash even among swing voters. The result? A political own-goal: cruelty without control, chaos without results, and optics so toxic they’re pushing the middle further away. In this episode, Rick breaks down why Donald Trump is hemorrhaging trust on the economy, why extreme ICE tactics are backfiring in real time, and how this week made painfully clear that fear politics doesn’t beat inflation—and never has.•••••Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. Visit to www.webroot.com/lincolnproject for 60% off! #ad

This week, the mask comes all the way off. In a chilling double-header, we expose how Stephen Miller’s extremist agenda has metastasized into unchecked power inside Immigration and Customs Enforcement—with deadly consequences. Journalist Greg Sargent joins us first to break down Miller’s ideological grip on ICE and the escalation of federal violence, including the killing of Alex Pretti this past weekend—an event that underscores how cruelty is no longer a byproduct of policy, but the point. Then, former Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Craig Fugate explains how disaster relief money meant to keep Americans alive during a brutal snowstorm was siphoned away—from FEMA to ICE—revealing a federal priorities list where enforcement beats survival and repression beats relief. This is what unchecked power looks like. This is how a government turns DHS funding and disaster relief into opportunity. And this is why it matters right now. •••••You can find Greg Sargent on X @GregTSargent, on Bluesky @gregsargent.bsky.social, and at www.thenewrepublic.com. Also, check out his podcast, ‘The Daily Blast.’You can find Craig Fugate @WCraigFugate on X.Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. Go to www.bollandbranch.com/lincoln, and use the code “LINCOLN” to unlock 15% off your first order + free shipping! #ad

Rick's Elephant in the Room this week is peak TACO — Trump Always Chickens Out. After floating threats against Greenland and saber-rattling his way into another foreign policy meltdown, Donald Trump took the stage at Davos and delivered a speech so erratic it left allies openly alarmed (as he GRIPPED the podium). The World Economic Forum appearance wasn’t just inflammatory — it reinforced how isolated the United States has become under Trump’s chaos-first diplomacy. Within days, Trump backed down on Greenland, proving once again that the bluster is loud but the follow-through is weak. Meanwhile, NATO allies are openly questioning whether the U.S. can still be trusted, global markets are spooked, and America’s credibility keeps sliding. This episode breaks down Trump’s Davos meltdown, the Greenland bluff, and why the world is done taking U.S. threats seriously.•••••Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln.

This week’s double-header episode confronts America’s moral crisis from two sides of the same coin: what happens when leadership becomes corrupt and power-hungry—and what it looks like when leaders choose decency instead. First, journalist Mary Clare Jalonick joins Rick to break down her urgent new book Storm at the Capitol, a chilling account of how ambition, radicalization, and moral cowardice led to January 6 and exposed what happens when power is severed from principle. Then, veteran political voice Chris Matthews offers a stark counterpoint with Letters from Bobby, drawing on Robert F. Kennedy’s words to remind us that leadership is a moral act rooted in restraint, empathy, and responsibility. This conversation couldn’t be more timely as ICE violence and aggressive enforcement tactics come to a head across the country, putting into sharp relief the real-world consequences of unchecked power and moral collapse. One episode. Two books. One unavoidable truth: democracy doesn’t fail all at once—it fails when leaders abandon decency first.•••••You can find Mary Clare Jalonick @MCJalonick on X, and you can stay up to date with her congressional reporting at the AP. Also, her new book, 'Storm at the Capitol: An Oral History of January 6th,' is available now, wherever fine books are sold. Chris Matthews is on X @HardballChris, and you can check out his Substack at thechrismatthews.substack.com. His new book, 'Lessons from Bobby: Ten Reasons Robert F. Kennedy Still Matters,' is available now, wherever fine books are sold. Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. Visit www.growtherapy.com/lincolnproject to find out how you could get started with a therapist that works with you. #ad Go to www.webroot.com/lincolnproject for up to 60% off. #ad

Texas is breaking at the seams—divided, bitter, and locked in a political cage match that’s left ordinary Texans stuck in the middle. For decades, the state has been painted bright red, but now the cracks are showing, and a fresh wave of underdog organizers and voters is daring to repaint the map purple. From the San Antonio Spurs to street culture, from BBQ pits to the Capitol floor, Texas' fresh politics is colliding with an old guard terrified of losing power—on fights over voting rights, gerrymandering, abortion bans, gun violence, border and immigration, book bans, school vouchers, property taxes, and the ERCOT power grid. In this episode, James Talarico joins Rick Wilson for a hard look at a changing Purple Texas—how Gen Z, Latino voters, suburban women, and independents are shifting the map; why MAGA extremism and corrupt politicians (like Ken Paxton) keep stoking culture wars; and how fresh leadership can take power back for the people and revive democracy in the Lone Star State.•••••You can find James Talarico @jamestalarico on social media, and keep up with his campaign at jamestalarico.com.Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference.Visit expressvpn.com/lincolnproject for an exclusive offer. #ad

Coming off last week’s examination of the killing of Renee Nicole Good, Rick lays out how the United States is sliding into an American police state—one powered by ICE intimidation, fear-based propaganda, and a rapidly expanding government surveillance apparatus. Rick breaks down how ICE relies on spectacle, misinformation, and selective enforcement to force citizen compliance, while the Trump-era state deploys AI surveillance and facial recognition, license plate readers, and Flock Safety cameras to monitor Americans in ways that openly undermine the Constitution, the Fourth Amendment, and basic civil liberties. This isn’t about public safety—it’s about control. This isn't a flaw, it's a feature. It's no longer about equal protection under the law, but about protecting power, punishing dissent, and enforcing political obedience. When agencies like ICE are shielded from accountability while technology is used to surveil citizens instead of defend their rights, justice stops being blind and starts taking orders.For best practices on dealing with ICE, this week's episode of The Breakdown features our legal counsel, Mario Nicolais, and is also worth a watch. https://youtube.com/live/eRihj_qXUYw•••••Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. Visit www.bollandbranch.com/lincoln for 15% off your first order + free shipping. #adGo to www.ethos.com/lincolnproject to see how you could protect your family with life insurance with a free quote in under ten minutes. #ad Check out www.werobot.com/lincolnproject for 60% off. #ad

Donald Trump didn’t speak for the working class—he played it. In this episode, Rick Wilson sits down with Dropkick Murphys frontman Ken Casey to unpack how Trump’s brand of fake populism conned millions of working Americans while delivering power, tax cuts, and protection to billionaires and authoritarians. Rick and Ken break down how grievance replaced policy, how MAGA culture turned resentment into a loyalty test, and why the people waving the biggest flags ended up getting sold out first. Then they flip the script: punk rock as an early warning system, a working-class truth teller, and a loud, unapologetic form of resistance to fascism, cult politics, and manufactured outrage. This isn’t about music nostalgia—it’s about class consciousness, propaganda, and why real resistance has never come from strongmen at the top, but from people willing to call bullsh*t, turn up the volume, and refuse to be fooled again.•••••You can find Ken Casey at dropkickmurphys.com. Check out their website for tour information and details on their upcoming album! Their updated song "Citizen ICE" is out now.Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. Visit www.quince.com/lincoln for free shipping & 365-day returns. #ad Go to www.expressvpn.com/lincolnproject to learn more about how you could get up to 4 extra months. #ad

This week, we confront MAGA’s escalating performative cruelty following the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis — a woman shot and killed by an ICE officer and then posthumously smeared as a “domestic terrorist” to justify the violence. As facts emerged, the Trump movement did what it always does: lied, dehumanized, and closed ranks around power. JD Vance went even further, effectively arguing for blanket immunity for federal agents, treating U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as an untouchable arm of the state — Trump’s modern secret police. This episode breaks down how authoritarian movements manufacture enemies, why disinformation follows state violence every time, and how Donald Trump’s political culture rewards cruelty over truth. This isn’t about law and order — it’s about power without accountability, the erosion of civil liberties, and what it means when a political movement decides some lives are disposable. Say her name: Renee Good.•••••If you'd like to support Renee Good’s wife and son, below is a link to their publicly accessible GoFundMe:https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-renee-goods-wife-and-sonRick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln.

This weekend, the capture of Nicolás Maduro didn’t close a chapter in Venezuela — it ripped one open. History tells us exactly where this movie goes: swagger first, strategy never. Venezuela isn’t just another “bad guy taken off the board”; it’s an oil-soaked, politically fractured, economically shattered country where outside powers think force can substitute for understanding. That’s how Iraq started. That’s how Vietnam metastasized. And now, under Donald Trump, America is once again flirting with the delusion that you can arrest a dictator, flip a switch, pump the oil, and call it victory. You can’t. You get insurgencies, regional blowback, endless commitments, and a war that exists not because it protects Americans — but because oil, ego, and imperial muscle memory demand it. Welcome to the next forever war, this time in our own hemisphere, where the lessons of the past are ignored, the bill always comes due, and the exit strategy is once again a shrug.•••••Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln.

Giving you an extra special bonus episode of The Lincoln Project podcast, Rick Wilson is joined by special guest Chris Whipple of Vanity Fair, the reporter who just detonated Trumpworld with his explosive reporting on Susie Wiles. Whipple doesn’t just recap the headlines—he reveals new secrets, pulls back the curtain on how power actually operates inside Trump’s inner circle, and explains why Wiles may be the most important—and least understood—figure in modern MAGA politics. As more breaking news unfolds, Rick and Whipple connect the dots between loyalty, control, fear, and the machinery driving Trump’s 2025 operation. If you want to understand who really runs Trumpworld—and why this story keeps getting darker—this is the episode you can’t miss.•••••You can find Chris Whipple on X @ccwhip, and on his website https://chriswhipple.com/. VANITY FAIR PIECE PART 1: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/trump-susie-wiles-interview-exclusive-part-1VANITY FAIR PIECE PART 2: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/trump-susie-wiles-interview-exclusive-part-2Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln.

As the holiday season hits full throttle and millions of Americans flood airports during record-breaking Christmas travel week, this episode takes a clear-eyed look at what real holiday cheer means in a year dominated by nonstop headlines. From winter storms snarling flights and causing massive travel delays to violence interrupting festive gatherings and global tensions refusing to pause for Christmas, this week's news cycle offered little comfort—or quiet. Breaking down the biggest stories -- from Susie Wiles' Vanity Fair expose to Trump's deranged, coke-fueled speech while he gripped the podium to the close-up photos of Trump's admin -- it's been a week...and Rick will guide you through it all. Rick Wilson cuts through the noise with sharp humor and grounded perspective, breaking down the biggest stories of the week while reminding us that optimism doesn’t require denial. This is holiday cheer with a backbone—fact-based, reality-tested, and stubbornly alive in the middle of headline fatigue, end-of-year chaos, and a world that refuses to slow down just because it’s Christmas.•••••Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. #HolidaySeason #ChristmasCheer #YearEndNews #TopHeadlines #HolidayTravel #WinterStorms #BreakingNews #PoliticalPodcast #RickWilson #LincolnProject

Rick Wilson is joined by Scott Galloway—NYU professor, bestselling author, and unapologetic truth-teller—to talk about lonely young men, collapsing purpose, and a culture pretending the crisis isn’t real. Drawing from Scott’s newest book, ‘Notes on Being a Man,’ they cut through culture-war bullsh*t to explain how isolation, economic pressure, and algorithm-fed rage are pushing men toward the worst possible answers. This isn’t grievance politics—it’s a blunt conversation about reality, responsibility, different strengths, and what happens when society ignores the meteor until impact.•••••You can find Scott Galloway @profgalloway.com on Bluesky and @profgalloway on Instagram. His new book, ‘Notes on Being a Man,’ is available now, wherever fine books are sold. Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. Go to https://ground.news/TLP for a better way to stay informed. Subscribe for 40% off the Vantage plan for unlimited access to world wide news coverage through our link. #ad Enter code ‘LINCOLNPROJECT’ for 20% off at takelean.com. #ad

In this blistering episode, Rick Wilson breaks down why MAGA absolutely sees the future coming — and is reacting like a herd of political dinosaurs staring straight at the meteor and insisting it’s a hoax. With Trump's historically unpopular presidency (at a 36% approval rating), the desperate need for "affordability" (hitting the MAGA base the hardest), the movement shrinking, and GOP leaders screaming into the void, MAGA is pretending the shaking ground and the bright light in the sky are just “deep state weather balloons.” Rick lays out how the economic reality, unmistakable corruption, shifting demographics, and sheer exhaustion among voters are accelerating MAGA’s extinction — and why their refusal to adapt only speeds up the impact. This is a sharp, snark-filled autopsy of a movement so trapped in denial that they’re actively choosing meteor impact over evolution. Buckle up: the asteroid is coming, and Rick brought the popcorn.•••••Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. Go to Superpower.com to decode, track and take control of your health with Superpower. Go to Superpower.com/gift to receive a free $49 premium gift box with your gifted membership. #ad

Strap in: Rick Wilson is joined by Carol Leonnig and Aaron Davis, who just detonated the political world with their blockbuster book Injustice. It’s the ultimate tell-all on DOJ dysfunction, politically motivated indictments, the Trump-era push to weaponize federal law enforcement, and the internal rebellion of career DOJ officials trying to stop an authoritarian slide. Rick, Carol, and Aaron break down everything from the classified documents scandal to the war on independent prosecutors, the assault on election integrity, and the rise of unchecked executive power. If you care about the future of American democracy, the rule of law, and the escalating 2025 political crisis, this episode brings the receipts—loudly.•••••You can find Carol Leonnig @CarolLeonnig on X, and Aaron Davis @byaaroncdavis on X. Their bestselling book ‘INJUSTICE: How Politics and Fear Vanquished America’s Justice Department’ is out now, wherever fine books are sold. Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. Go to Quince.com/LINCOLN for free shipping and 365-day returns. #ad

In this explosive episode of The Elephant in the Room, Rick Wilson breaks down the stunning new reporting that Jared Kushner and real estate billionaire Steve Witkoff held a secret meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow earlier this week (as of 12/4/25). Rick analyzes why two American power brokers advising Russia’s authoritarian leader is raising alarms across the national security, intelligence, and foreign policy communities, and why experts are calling the covert conversation a potential act of treason, foreign interference, and backchannel diplomacy gone rogue. From Kushner’s long-documented ties to Russian oligarchs, to Witkoff’s sudden emergence as a Kremlin-friendly intermediary, Rick lays out what investigators are already probing, what the White House is terrified you’ll learn next, and how this clandestine meeting could reshape the landscape of U.S.–Russia relations, election interference, and the ongoing debate over whether Trump’s inner circle ever truly stopped colluding with Moscow. As Rick puts it: When Americans fly to Moscow to “advise” Putin, it’s not diplomacy—it’s danger. Buckle up for the episode blowing the lid off the Witkoff-Kushner-Putin scandal.•••••Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us

In this scorching episode, Rick Wilson and former DOJ titan Andrew Weissmann expose how America’s so-called “law and order” system is being hijacked in real time. From the Supreme Court’s shockingly unified pushback on Trump’s tariff overreach to the DOJ’s clown-show prosecutions and selective-vendetta cases, they break down how abuse of power has become official government policy. With food aid on the chopping block, courts dodging accountability, and legal norms collapsing at warp speed, Rick and Andrew show just how fragile the rule of law is—and what happens when the Justice Department becomes a blunt-force political weapon. • • • • • You can find Andrew Weissmann @AWeissmann_ on X, and check out his podcasts “Prosecuting Donald Trump” and “Main Justice” wherever you listen! Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln.

Rick Wilson breaks down the political firestorm ignited by the viral military veterans ad, reminding Americans—and the armed forces—never to obey illegal orders. This ad (and Trump's subsequent meltdown) is Rick's Elephant in the Room this week. The veterans-PSA ad featuring Elissa Slotkin (Senator and former intelligence officer), Mark Kelly (Senator and former Navy pilot), Jason Crow (Representative and Army veteran), Chris Deluzio (Representative and Navy veteran), Chrissy Houlahan (Representative and Air Force veteran), and Maggie Goodlander (Representative and Air Force veteran) urged U.S. service members to refuse illegal orders. The message was standard constitutional duty; the fallout was anything but. Within hours, Donald Trump detonated across social media, calling the ad “treason,” attacking veterans, and confirming—accidentally—exactly why the video mattered. Rick walks through everything that unfolded afterward: the furious MAGA messaging spiral, the stunned reaction inside the Pentagon, the immediate backlash from veterans’ organizations nationwide, and the growing panic among House Republicans suddenly asked whether they’d support Trump’s demand for total obedience. Rick unpacks the escalating tension, the legal implications of Trump’s statements, and why this episode may mark a turning point in the 2026 national security and rule-of-law debate. Buckle up—this one touched every live wire in American politics.•••••Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, Hair Loss, Weight Loss, and more, visit Hims.com/LincolnProject for your free online visit. #ad Visit ExpressVPN.com/LincolnProject to find out how you can get up to 4 extra months as a Lincoln Project Podcast listener. #ad

This week on The Lincoln Project Podcast, Rick Wilson sits down with investigative reporter Tara Palmeri (The Tara Palmeri Show, The Red Letter) for a brutal, no-BS breakdown of the new Jeffrey Epstein emails naming Donald Trump, what they reveal about his long-denied ties to the Epstein sex trafficking network, and why Republicans in Congress are suddenly cracking over the push to release the full Epstein files. Tara walks through how Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, Trump, billionaire bankers, modeling agencies, and elite power brokers all intersect, why survivors see these emails as a “smoking gun,” and how the DOJ, House GOP, and Trump White House tried to spin the scandal as a hoax. With sharp analysis, dark humor, and a relentless focus on the victims of sex trafficking, Rick and Tara unpack the corruption, the cover-ups, the banks, the lawyers, the media enablers, and what could happen next if ALL of the reasonably redacted Epstein documents, emails, and flight-log details finally come to light.•••••You can find Tara Palmeri @tarapalmeri on X, on her podcast ‘The Tara Palmeri Show,’ and on her Substack, ‘The Red Letter,’ at www.tarapalmeri.com.Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln.

For this week's Elephant in the Room, Rick Wilson dives headfirst into the bombshell trove of newly unearthed emails—yes, the ones dragged straight from the digital grave—linking Donald Trump to the Epstein network in ways that blow apart every denial he’s peddled for years. These aren’t rumors, whispers, or gossip; these are receipts from the beyond, pulled out of long-buried archives investigators never expected to see daylight again. Rick breaks down what the emails reveal, why Trumpworld is in full panic mode, how these posthumous secrets reshape the Epstein timeline, and what this means for Trump’s optics heading into 2026. With sharp analysis, dark humor, and absolutely zero patience for MAGA excuses, this episode unpacks the grave, cold truth now haunting Trump’s orbit. Buckle up—the dead are talking, and they have the receipts.•••••Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. Visit www.quince.com/lincoln for free shipping and 365 day returns. #ad

Rick Wilson sits down with former Congressman Adam Kinzinger, star of The Last Republican and founder of Country First, for a blistering look at what may be Donald Trump’s worst week yet. From the Supreme Court’s tariff showdown and GOP election losses to Trump’s tone-deaf Great Gatsby party at Mar-a-Lago, Kinzinger and Wilson rip into the chaos with trademark dark humor and political fire. They break down Trump’s economic disaster, his narcissism, and how he’s turned the Republican Party into a cult of fear—run by Tucker Carlson, Laura Loomer, and Nick Fuentes. Kinzinger explains why he thinks Trump won’t run in 2028, how neo-Nazis and conspiracy theorists hijacked the movement, and what it will take for Democrats to win in 2026 by focusing on affordability, corruption, and the economy instead of endless culture wars. With hits on Jack Smith’s investigation, AI chips to China, and the collapse of the conservative establishment, this episode is a sharp, darkly funny autopsy of a party—and a democracy—on the brink.•••••You can find Adam Kinzinger on X @AdamKinzinger, on his Substack at adamkinzinger.substack.com, & in the documentary ‘The Last Republican,’ streaming now. Also, check out his organization Country First, at country1st.com.Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. Go to bollandbranch.com/lincoln and use code ‘LINCOLN’ for 25% off + free shipping. #ad

For Trump, empathy is like one of his contractors — it never gets paid. Rick explores how Trump’s austerity policies, SNAP cuts, and Medicare rollbacks crushed millions while he partied with billionaires. The 2025 Democratic election surge wasn’t luck — it was justice.•••••Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln.

The 2025 elections aren’t just mid-cycle noise — they’re the dress rehearsal for 2026. In a very special election episode, Rick Wilson walks you through the field with his trademark mix of snark and strategic clarity: from the knife-fight in New York, the gubernatorial brawl in New Jersey, and Virginia’s bellwether races, to the California Prop-50 slugfest and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court showdown that could tilt national law for a generation. Every one of these contests is a test run for what the GOP and MAGA movement plan to unleash next year — and the stakes couldn’t be higher.Inside the movement, the fractures are widening. Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, and Nick Fuentes are spinning off from Trump’s orbit, building rival cults of personality and turning MAGA into a circular firing squad. The “unified” right is now a live grenade rolling around its own tent. And out in the field? Keep your eyes open. Masked thugs and fake “poll watchers” are already showing up at polling places — a trial balloon for voter intimidation and a warning of what 2026 may look like if the guardrails come off.Finally, Rick reflects on the death of Dick Cheney, the last grand strategist of the Republican old guard — a man who built the machine that Trump’s chaos now threatens to burn to the ground. His passing isn’t just news; it’s the symbolic end of an era.It's a special day today, and whatever happens, the lessons we learn today will ready us for 2026.•••••Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln

Rick Wilson sits down with Nate Soares — executive director of the Machine Intelligence Research Institute and co-author (with Eliezer Yudkowsky) of the New York Times bestseller IF ANYONE BUILDS IT, EVERYONE DIES — for a brutally funny, deeply unnerving tour of how humanity might code itself into extinction. Together, they shred the techno-utopian hype and lay bare the reality of Artificial General Intelligence: machines that learn faster than their makers, billionaires racing to build digital gods, and governments regulating it like it’s a new brand of toaster. Rick brings his trademark fire, skewering the Silicon Valley messiahs who think “alignment” is just a yoga pose, while Nate breaks down how emergent behavior, greed, and hubris could make “innovation” our final act. Buckle up — it’s the smartest, darkest conversation you’ll ever laugh through.•••••You can find Nate Soares @So8res on X, and check out ifanyonebuildsit.com for information on his new book. Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln. To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, Hair Loss, Weight Loss, and more, visit Hims.com/LincolnProject for your free online visit.

He’s covered revolutions, disasters, and political meltdowns. Now, former Fox News host turned News Nation anchor Leland Vittert covers something even bigger—himself. In his new book, he shares how understanding life on the spectrum helped him finally find peace in a world that never stops talking. Bullied mercilessly as a child and delayed in his learning, Leland mastered his ability to observe, listen, and unpack the real news story. Rick Wilson joins him for a candid, often funny, always human look at neurodiversity, purpose, and what happens when a journalist turns the camera inward.•••••You can follow Leland Vittert on X @LelandVittert and you can find Born Lucky: A Dedicated Father, A Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism, wherever fine books are sold.Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln.

Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s memoir NOBODY’S GIRL: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice -- is more than a book — it’s a final act of truth-telling from a woman who refused to be silenced. In this episode, Rick Wilson honors her story by sitting down with co-author Amy Wallace and Virginia's brother, Sky Roberts, and his wife, Amanda, to examine how Virginia's courage blew the lid off of Epstein’s network of abuse, power, and complicity. Through her own words, Virginia's voice continues to demand accountability, advocate for survivors, and expose the rot behind the façade of wealth and privilege. Justice for victims only happens when someone refuses to stay silent, and that someone was Virginia. This special episode breaks down what Virginia's story teaches us about resilience, systemic failure, and the ongoing fight for a world where no one else becomes yet another survivor. #RELEASETHEFILES•••••NOBODY’S GIRL: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice has officially hit bookstores everywhere. To support Virginia's family's efforts to continue to carry Virginia's torch and advocate for sex abuse survivors, please follow @virginias_voice on all social media platforms. Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln.

The White House East Wing didn’t fall—it got vibed out of existence. Trump’s building a ballroom fit for his ego, bulldozing history for a disco ball. In this week’s Elephant in the Room, Rick drags the Trump ballroom demolition 2025 mess like it’s an HGTV fever dream gone fascist. We’re talking $300 million in private “donations,” government accountability in shambles, and a former president who treats democracy like a side hustle. It’s giving Marie Antoinette-core, dripping in gold, and built on pure delusion. Tune in for a darkly hilarious breakdown of how Trump’s corruption and power trip just turned America’s most iconic building into his personal event space—because of course he did.••••Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference.

Arizona’s Adelita Grijalva won her election fair and square, but Speaker Mike Johnson’s government shutdown has become a hostage crisis. Grijalva would have been the 218th vote to release the Epstein Files. Instead of being sworn in, Grijalva’s locked out while Johnson clings to power and uses the House swearing-in delay to feed his MAGA base. Rick Wilson tears into this clown show—how GOP power politics turned a duly elected congresswoman into a political pawn, how the shutdown in Congress hurts Arizona's families, and why Johnson’s behavior reeks of tiny "D" energy. ••••You can find Adelita Grijalva @AdelitaForAZ on X and @adelitaforcongress.bsky.social on Bluesky. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference.

Trump’s newest fiction comes with a price tag: $40 billion to Argentina. It’s not aid, it’s a favor — a payoff to Wall Street insiders and political loyalists who bankrolled his second term. While American farmers drown under tariffs and export bans, Trump’s cronies are cashing foreign checks. And right on cue, he approves a Qatari airbase in Idaho, conveniently following his Doha golf course deal. Rick Wilson calls it what it is: a presidential pay-to-play scheme on a global scale.But Trump’s authoritarian impulses don’t stop at the border. At home, armed agents act as his private militia, silencing dissent and intimidating journalists under vague “national security” orders. This isn’t leadership — it’s monarchy cosplay with taxpayer funding. Rick reminds listeners that this country was founded in rebellion against one man’s unchecked power. Two hundred and fifty years later, the warning still stands: We are a nation of No Kings.••••Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference.Go to www.quince.com/lincoln for 365-day returns + free shipping. #ad

Imagine the Roaring Twenties, but with cable news, Bitcoin, and orange hair. Andrew Ross Sorkin joins Rick to discuss his new book '1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History--and How It Shattered a Nation' (out 10/14/25), which shows the collision course between Wall Street excess and regulatory failure that sparked the Great Depression. Today, Trump’s tariff tantrums are gutting supply chains, midwestern farmers are losing land, inflation is gobbling up paychecks, and the rich are floating above it all. If the economic pressure cooker looks familiar, that’s because history is being regurgitated on fast forward — and MAGA’s version is dumber, uglier, and louder.••••You can find Andrew Ross Sorkin @andrewrsorkin on X, and pick up his new book “1929: The Inside Story of the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History,” wherever fine books are sold.Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference.Go to www.quince.com/lincoln for 365-day returns + free shipping.

Trump is flirting with invoking the Insurrection Act, and when he says he “can do something,” he usually means he's GOING to do it. This week, Stephen Miller encouraged the fantasy of Trump’s so-called “plenary authority” to deploy the National Guard in Chicago and Portland. At the same time, Kristi Noem floated an ICE expansion to “restore order.” Rick Wilson breaks down how Trump’s martial law threats, Miller’s authoritarian fetish, and MAGA’s open calls for arrests are all part of the same anti-democracy fever dream that's becoming more and more of a reality. ••••Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference.Go to www.bollandbranch.com/lincoln to receive up to 20% off and free shipping. Exclusions apply.

He said she was “not his type.” The jury said he was lying. In this can’t-miss episode, Rick Wilson talks with E. Jean Carroll about her jaw-dropping victory in the Trump defamation and sexual assault civil case. They discuss the courtroom madness, the appeals court ruling that upheld her $83.3 million judgment, and the surreal moment she realized Trump’s mouth had finally cost him real money. Her new book, Not My Type: One Woman vs. a President, is equal parts courtroom thriller, survivor’s manifesto, and roast of America’s worst date.••••You can find E. Jean Carroll @ejeancarroll on X, and pick up her new book “Not My Type: One Woman vs. a President,” wherever fine books are sold.Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. #adGo to www.bollandbranch.com/lincoln to receive up to 20% off and free shipping. Exclusions apply.

In Trump’s America, the enemy isn’t abroad—it’s you. His latest military speech made it clear: he sees the U.S. Army as his domestic police force, his red hat shock troops, his tool for shutting down dissent. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court keeps handing him authoritarian cheat codes, the government shutdown grinds on, tariffs crush farmers, and Democrats keep pretending they’ll “find their message” someday.••••Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference.

Welcome back to America’s Groundhog Day: where Reconstruction never really ended, Jim Crow 2.0 is trending, and Trump authoritarianism feels like a bad sequel. Antonia Hylton (MSNBC) walks us through how the post-Reconstruction era is colliding with today’s civil rights crisis. Then Charlie Sykes breaks down how the Trump crackdown on the media, the DOJ's weaponization, and a supine Supreme Court that keeps empowering the executive branch make Nixon look like a community theater tyrant. Spoiler: the First Amendment is now “pending review” under Trump’s authoritarian playbook. And while America teeters on a government shutdown, Democrats are delusional enough to think “bipartisanship” is a strategy instead of a suicide pact — even as tariffs smash farmers’ margins and rural America feels the squeeze of policy and propaganda alike.••••You can find Antonia Hylton @ahylton26 on social media, or on her website antoniahylton.com. You can also pickup her incredible book “Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum,” wherever fine books are sold.You can find Charlie Sykes on X @SykesCharlie, and on his Substack “To the Contrary” at www.charliesykes.substack.comFollow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference.

Ukraine is hitting back harder than ever, as its military pushes Russia out of key regions and puts Moscow’s most significant targets in range—all while Russian gas prices skyrocket to a staggering $25 a gallon, deepening Putin’s crisis. At the same time in the U.S., late-night TV is on fire: ABC’s controversial decision to reorder Jimmy Kimmel Live! sparked massive backlash, wiping $4 billion off Disney’s market cap before Kimmel triumphantly returned to air. From Ukraine’s fight for freedom to Disney’s Wall Street disaster and Kimmel’s comeback, this episode dives into the global headlines shaking both the Kremlin and Hollywood. • • • • • Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference.

Elie Honig joins Rick Wilson to discuss When You Come at the King, exploring the intersection of presidential power and the law. Nixon's Watergate scandal, Reagan's Iran-Contra affair, and Clinton's Monica Lewinsky scandal all tested the limits of executive power in their own ways. However, Trump has altered the game when it comes to executive power and has zero shame about it. Trump's presidential immunity ruling was the most significant expansion of presidential power in the last 100 years. Wilson and Honig delve into how this shift has not only challenged legal norms but also deepened partisan divides, raising questions about the future of presidential accountability. • • • • • You can follow Elie Honig @eliehonig on X, and pick up his new book “When You Come at the King: Inside DOJ's Pursuit of the President, from Nixon to Trump” wherever fine books are sold. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference.

Donald Trump and his handpicked FCC chair, Brendan Carr, just made satire a crime. After punishing ABC and Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show getting pulled off-air, America is staring down the barrel of state-run media where free speech is no longer protected, jokes are illegal, and satire is treated as sedition. This episode dives into Trump’s FCC censorship crackdown, the chilling rise of state-controlled news, and what it means when a president can silence critics with the stroke of a pen. From the death of late-night comedy to the birth of authoritarian propaganda, Rick Wilson unpacks how Trump’s fragile ego and lust for power are reshaping American media into his own personal megaphone. • • • • • Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Visit expressvpn.com/lincolnproject for an exclusive offer for our listeners.

Texas is breaking at the seams—divided, bitter, and locked in a political cage match that’s left ordinary Texans stuck in the middle. For decades, the state has been painted bright red, but now the cracks are showing, and a fresh wave of underdog organizers and voters is daring to repaint the map purple. From the San Antonio Spurs to street culture, from BBQ pits to the Capitol floor, Texas' fresh politics is colliding with an old guard terrified of losing power—on fights over voting rights, gerrymandering, abortion bans, gun violence, border and immigration, book bans, school vouchers, property taxes, and the ERCOT power grid. In this episode, James Talarico joins Rick Wilson for a hard look at a changing Purple Texas—how Gen Z, Latino voters, suburban women, and independents are shifting the map; why MAGA extremism and corrupt politicians (like Ken Paxton) keep stoking culture wars; and how fresh leadership can take power back for the people and revive democracy in the Lone Star State.•••••You can find James Talarico @jamestalarico on social media, and keep up with his campaign at jamestalarico.com. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference.Visit expressvpn.com/lincolnproject to find out how you can get up to 4 months free of charge. #ad

America is bleeding out from within. In just the past few years, the U.S. has been rocked by political violence, extremist attacks, and assassinations that have pushed democracy to the brink. From right-wing radicals to left-wing extremists, the rhetoric of hate has turned deadly, fueling a surge in domestic terrorism and political assassinations. The killing of Charlie Kirk in Utah and the shocking assassination of Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband are the latest wake-up calls, and no side has clean hands. Hate has become a political strategy, amplified by social media algorithms, AI echo chambers, and corrupt politicians who profit from division and literal blood money. While the powerful get richer, ordinary Americans are left living in a democracy under threat—where both sides have stopped listening—and it has to stop. • • • • • Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at BollandBranch.com/LINCOLN. #ad

Donald Trump’s New York story isn’t just about gold-plated towers—it’s about shady deals, mob ties, bankruptcies, and the grift that built his so-called empire. In this episode, host Rick Wilson sits down with Jonathan Mahler of The New York Times Magazine to dig into Trump’s corruption in New York real estate, his mob connections, and how those dirty deals shaped the man who would later seize the presidency. Together, they expose the Trump Tower backstory, the bankruptcy bailouts, and the pattern of fraud and scandal that defined Trump long before MAGA.This deep-dive connects the dots between Trump’s shady New York origins and the current chaos of his political empire, revealing how the same real estate scams, mafia ties, and financial fraud that fueled his rise are still driving his downfall today.•••••You can purchase Jonathan Mahler’s newest book ‘THE GODS OF NEW YORK: Egotists, Idealists, Opportunists, and the Birth of the Modern City: 1986-1990’ wherever fine books are sold, and you can follow him on X @jonathanmahler.Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference.Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at BollandBranch.com/LINCOLN. #ad